Luthiel's Song: Dreams of the Ringed Vale

by Robert Marston Fannéy

  Now that I know your secrets, you’re not so terrible.

  Was there something about this place that had changed—or was it her? Its ever-changing mists, its creatures who were once elves, goblins, or even men seemed compelled by her in a way she didn’t quite understand. Now that she’d come and the Vyrl no longer hunted them, there was less fear—unless it was of spiders or of war.

  Instead, Ottomnos and the Vale it ruled seemed a melancholy place to her—brooding on its dark past, reluctantly readying for war. Those arching spires thrust their mighty defiance high, and yet the place seemed more ready to return to happier times.

  “Farewell Ottomnos,” she whispered into the night. “You’ve become a place of unexpected welcome to me.”

  She reveled in this thought, trying to remember if she’d ever felt so wanted, or even needed, among the elves.

  No, she thought. I only felt different. But here all are strange.

  From out of the night, a cloud of mists rose up. A swarm of green lights drifted in through the slit window, catching in her hair, tingling upon her skin, or dancing about her.

  Startled, she jumped back. And then, realizing what they were, returned to the window. She let them brush past her face, enjoying the sensation of them touching her skin.

  Can they hear me? she wondered.

  Looking out into the night one last time she said –

  “Vale of Mists, I think we have come to terms, you and I.”

  She gazed over the watch fires, into the Vale’s swirling mists and beyond.

  The spiders were out there, weaving their shadowebs, waiting. And the armies of the elves were there too, waiting in their camps among the Mounds of Losing. Her eyebrows lowered and her face became resolute.

  I made my way here; I’ll make my way out again.

  “I’m coming home Leowin,” she whispered into the night.

  Then Luthiel returned to her bed and tried to sleep. She found it difficult. Instead, she lay awake thinking of the council, of the stories told there, of Cauthraus burning, and of the Widdershae. Last of all she thought of leaving the Vale and returning to Flir Light Hollow. The conflicted feelings stayed with her until, in the late night, she finally drifted into slumber.

  As far as she knew, for the rest of the night, the lights stayed with her.

  Appendix I:

  The Elfin Runes

  The elfin runes were characters drawn to represent shapes in nature—the curl of a wave, the silhouette of a fish in deep water, the body of a serpent threading between two stones. To the elves these characters have special significance, for they understand them—their shapes and sounds—to be the very language of creation. In them, there is the most basic magic of forms and definitions. But also in them is the deeper understanding of spirit. For while the runes describe shapes and sounds, they also hold deeper meaning and are the key to understanding both the mysteries of the self and of the boundless universe. So here, in these motes and marks, in these slashes on the page, in rock, or earth, is the language of stars and moons, of wind and water, of wyrd and dreams.

  Appendix II:

  The Suns and Moons

  of Oesha

  Soelee: First sun of Oesha. Soelee is slightly smaller and dimmer than the day-star of Earth but is by far the brightest object in the skies of Oesha. A white-yellow star, Soelee rules the skies of day.

  Oerin’s Eye: Second sun of Oesha. Bright enough to dim most stars, Oerin’s eye rises first and sets last extending the time of gloaming both morning and evening. Oerin’s eye is an almond shaped white-blue star.

  Lunen: The first moon of Oesha is the color of pearl. Associated with peace and wisdom, Lumen’s glow softens the skies of Oesha at night and in the hours of gloaming.

  Merrin: The second moon of Oesha is the color of ocean waves. A wild and mysterious moon, Merrin is the patron moon of sailors and of storms.

  Silva: This moon shines like a bright silver penny in the sky. The third moon of Oesha is associated with grace and goodness.

  Sothos: Somber grey, Sothos is associated with dreams and sleep. The fourth moon of Oesha is sometimes difficult to find in the sky as its dim disk often blends well with the background. Also called the sleepy eye, Sothos is sometimes associated with the magic and mystery of dreams.

  Tiolas: The fifth moon of Oesha is banded yellow and green. A wild place, Tiolas is associated with the primal spirit of nature. The Tyndomiel claim Tiolas as their patron moon.

  Veolin: Wrapped in rainbow hues, Oesha’s sixth moon is the one most often associated with the mysteries of wyrd and magic.

  Cauthraus: The color of blood, Oesha’ seventh moon is considered the patron of warfare and bloody conflict. The harsh moon seems to burn with deep red fire as it shines down upon Oesha. It is the brightest of the eight moons and is easy to see during daytime.

  Gorothoth: The eighth moon of Oesha lurks like a shadow in the sky. Veins the color of old blood cross its face and cold seems to radiate down from it. Gorothoth is visible in the sky only for half of the year—from late fall until First Summer’s Eve. The black moon is associated with all things ill upon the world of Oesha.

  Glossary

  Aelin—(the elves) Aelin represent the first born of the thinking races and make up all the elves that dwell upon Oesha or elsewhere. They include Ithildar, Sith, Valemar, Tyndomiel, and Gruagach.

  Aëdar—also called angels, the Aëdar were among those spirits to aid the Elohwë in the great works that shaped the world. Of the Aëdar there were the Ahrda—the spirits of the elements that make up the worlds which are earth, air, water, fire and spirit; the Melear—the spirits of life; the Maehros—spirits of the void; and the Minowe—spirits of light and music. Dragons were among the Ahrda and Narcor (Malcor when corrupted) who are spirits of fire and Keirin who are spirits of storm and many more who are not named here. Vyrl, who were the masters of life and blood and of the dreams of living things, were among the Melear as were the Elvanna who were the spirits of all things good and growing, as were the Mordrim who were the spirits of new life and of changes in form and function. Of the Maehros little is known except that they were dark and strange and that they hungered to devour all things and ever they held the expansion of the world in check for their gluttony was boundless. Keirin were also counted among the Minowe for though they were spirits of air and storm granted to them too were the lights of rainbows and of stars. The Elkala were also among the Minowe and these were spirits of song and of inspiration and of good dreams—both waking and sleeping. So too were the Anari who were the great spirits of stars and the Elune who were spirits of moonlight, gossamer, and sleep.

  Aeowinar—also called Cutter’s Shear, this mighty blade was the masterwork of Vlad Valkire. It was said that Aeowinar’s sharpness was unmatched and that there was not a thing which it could not cut.

  Ahmberen—one of the three Vyrl in the Vale of Mists. The name Ahmberen means memory in the elder tongue.

  Almorah—cakes of dense bread filled with oats and honey. Almorah are often used as a staple by Valemar, Ithildar, and Gruagach.

  Arganoth—the fortress of Zalos that lies at the head of the falls that form the river Gwithemlo.

  Ashiroth—the Land of the Gruagach that lies to the north of Minonowe.

  Black (references to and meaning of)—the evil associated with shadow. For example: the black moon Gorothoth.

  Blixx—a race of goblins and the cousins of the Red Caps. Blixx hold a hatred and resentment for all things elfin. They have a long-standing alliance with the Trolls and often fall under the Dominion of Thrar Taurmori. But their chief lord is Korde Morgurlag. Blixx live in tribes in the badlands of the Rimwold.

  Bwandirin—the giants. These include the tree folk and the blue giants of Maltarmireth who were servants to the Vyrl.

  Chosen—children sent to feed the Vyrl in the Vale of Mists.

  Dark (ith. Neth) (references to and meaning of)—“dark” in elfin has a dual meaning. In its first reference, it can
be associated with blackness or evil. But in its second it is associated with those things hidden or concealed. Dark, this sense, is the beauty of mystery and of all things wild or unknown. It is the dark of twilight which is filled with stars. Ironically, the dark is full of lights yet to be revealed.

  Dark Lady—see Elwin.

  Detheldris—the Paths of Terror. A region of the Drakken Spur Mountains that are now inhabited by Widdershae.

  Dimlock—during the Age of Dreams, Vyrl ruled over all of Oesha feeding on the dreams of men and elves. The dreams were drawn through their eyes which fell away like brittle ash. Those devoured in this way became wights, serving only the will of the Vyrl, lusting after eyes which were their only food. Deprived of this food, the wights would become shrunken and twisted, eventually fading into shadow until they were never seen again. It was not known what became of these creatures until the dark moon rose and beneath its orb black goblins slinked from the shadows. These are the Dimlock, natives of the moon Gorothoth and who have life only beneath its darkness, upon its face, or with the other nightmares in the world of dreams. For in the sunlight they are only shadows but in the darkness of deep winter they appear, ambushing the unwary, carrying them off to the black moon where their flesh is subjected to unspeakable tortures or they are tossed into the great fires.

  Drakken Spur Mountains—the mountains beyond the Gates of the East. Long ago, elves would travel through the Drakken Spur and into the lands of Sith and Humans beyond. Now the Mountains are inhabited by Widdershae and passage to the lands beyond is only possible by sea or through the scorched lands to the south of Felduwaith. Few other than Sith and sailors have made this journey.

  Ecthellien—one of the three Vyrl in the Vale of Mists. The name—Ecthellien—means chance in the elder tongue.

  Elohwë—mighty beings who were the first offspring of the creators Ëavanya and Ëavanar. Each represented a spirit essential to the forming of the world. Aehmiel Eversong, Lumen of Light, Gorthar of Death, Chromnos of Will, and Eldacar of Sight are but a few Elohwë. Also called archangels, the Elohwë have ever had a hand in the shaping of the world and in the commitment of great deeds within it. Both the Aëdar and Elohwë live with one foot in the waking world and the other in the world of dreams.

  Elshael—one of the three Vyrl in the Vale of Mists. The name, Elshael, means “sorrow” in the elder tongue.

  Elwin—also called the Dark Lady, she is the spirit of Oesha given flesh and form. Perhaps the greatest of the Ahrda, she is also the wife of the Lord of the Dark Forest. For thousands of years now, she has slept—much to the grief of her lord.

  Fae— (also known as Elder, and Valas) A family of magical creatures including, elves, trolls, goblins and faeries.

  First Summer’s Eve—the first day that Gorothoth is not present in the sky. It also represents the beginning of summer. Among the elves, First Summer’s Eve is the most holy day of the year.

  Glendoras—Luthiel’s foster father.

  Gorothoth—the terrible moon that rides in the skies of Oesha from late Fall to early Summer. Gorothoth is the source of terrors that walk the face of Oesha including the Widdershae, Dimlock and many more. Also called Lunmir or Shadowmoon.

  Grendilo—strange one-armed, one-legged creatures who possess a grace and agility greater than any creature that walked on two legs. Natives to the Vale of Mists, the Grendilo serve the Vyrl who live there.

  Gruagach—the physically powerful and wilder cousins of the Ithildar. They were the third-born of the Aelin. Blood of sap, flesh of wood, the Gruagach are a hardy breed who have formed a pact with a tribe of dire wolves, the Urkharim, who live among them as equals.

  Himlolth—the land of the Tyndomiel that lies to the north and west of Minonowe.

  Ithildar—first born of the Aelin—High Elves. Fair of face and form the Ithildar are the most beautiful and magnetic of the Fae. The glory of their presence is such that men and goblins have worshipped them as lesser gods and of all the elves they are the most advanced in art and knowledge. Ithildar learned the elder language from Aëdar—dragons and spirits of light and song—they have since been its keepers among the elves, teaching it to their kin and children alike. For that reason, the elder speech bears their name—Ithildar (ith). Ithildar is also the name of the great tree of life at Ithilden’s heart. The tree is often referred to as Great Ithildar in speech.

  Ithilden—the land of the Ithildar that lies to the west of Minonowe.

  Leowin—Luthiel’s foster sister. Daughter of Glendoras and Winowe.

  Lilani—magical gateways that allow passage between Oesha and its moons. Lilani form where wyrd, the magic of dreams, concentrates into vast streams flowing over far greater distances than any of the rivers on Oesha.

  Lorethain—Luthiel’s foster brother. Firstborn of Glendoras and Winowe.

  Melkion—the Vyrl’s dragon messenger.

  Merrin—queen and spirit of the ocean moon that bears her name. Merrin was also one of the companions of Vlad Valkire and, later, his wife.

  Mithorden—(Spiritwatcher) he was summoned by Elroth long ago on an errand of which he will not speak. He is a mysterious sorcerer wandering the lands, consorting with both the strange and powerful. He has been known to appear during the direst of times and some have said that his appearance is a sign of ill things to come.

  Moons of Oesha—silver Silva, pearl Lunen, blue Merrin, green and gold Tiolas, smokey Sothos, rainbow Veolin, red Cauthraus, and black Gorothoth.

  Moonsteel—metals from moons of Oesha, often thought to have magical properties. Silva—Silen, Lunen—Lumiel, Merrin—Marim, Tiolas—Tiloril, Sothos—Sorim, Veolin—Viel, Cauthraus—Cauthrim, and Gorothoth—Narmiel.

  Neltherduel—the crowns of light. Shaped by Aëdar, these crowns were light as gossamer upon the brows that bore them and woven into their silvery metal were lights like stars.

  Netharduin—the four crowns of shadow. Forged of old by Gorthar from Narmiel (shadow-steel), these fell crowns are invisible except when touched by the shadow of Gorothoth or of the void itself. Then, it is visible as a dark metal of shifting hues like smoke cast off by a smoldering fire. Each crown houses a spirit of want, rage and bitterness bent to the will of Gorthar, which soon corrupts any who wear it, twisting their lives until all their works result in death and ruin. The ruling Netharduin was worn, for a time, by Chromnos until he broke it. The shards of this crown were later reforged by Zalos who used it to corrupt the Wyrd Stones which were, in turn, used to ensnare the Mirghast.

  Nethril—the blood silver of the dark forest. This metal grows out in spiral veins from beneath the great tree of life Anaturnar. Sometimes the Dark Fae forge Nethril into terrible weapons. But the metal is difficult to work.

  Oesha—the world. According to ancient myth, Oesha was the first living world conceived among the stars. The same myth states that Oesha was the proto world after which all other living worlds were crafted. But only on Oesha, it is said, can dreams be brought to life through the magic of wyrd.

  Othalas—eldest of werewolves, Othalas serves the Vyrl in the Vale of Mists.

  Ottomnos—the Vyrl’s Castle in the Vale of Mists. First ruled by Vyrl and later by Vlad Valkire, Ottomnos was returned to the Vyrl three thousand years ago. There they reign over that misty land and all creatures that dwell within it.

  Red-Caps—a kind of goblin friendly to the elves and living among them. Red-Caps are known for their fiery red hair, strong jaws and pointed teeth. Though friendly to elves in general, they harbor a great hatred for humankind and have been known to attack them whenever they perceive advantage.

  Rendillo—a grendilo who serves the Vyrl in the Vale of Mists.

  Rimwold—a land of elves and goblins to the south of the Minonowe.

  Shadow (ith. Nar) (references to and meaning of)—an aspect of evil. Shadow is associated with the drawing of precious warmth away from life. It is the cold of death and of unnatural life beyond death. It is also associated with lies, deceit and treache
ry. Shadow is the black of evil.

  Shadow Webs—these are the dreaded webs of the Widdershae. They are spun of the black that lies in the wells of night. An ancient darkness that, but for these webs, is known only in what can be seen between the stars after both suns fall.

  Sith—second born of the Aelin. Elves of the Dark Forest who serve the lord there whose name must not be spoken and who also serve the Dark Lady who sleeps there.

  Teluri—small Lilani that were fashioned into mirrors. It is said that a great sorcerer could use them to watch things from afar or to transport themselves to any active Lilani. It is said that those possessing the Teluri may use it to communicate with one another over great distances. The lords of the elves are in possession of four of the original seven Teluri; the other three were lost.

  Tuorlin—Lord of Ithilden and High Lord of all the Elflands. Tuorlin is one of the few surviving Chosen who went to the Vale of Mists.

  Tyndomiel—of all the elves, Tyndomiel are the strangest as they each possess the ability to shape-change. Tyndomiel group themselves into clans of like kind. All varieties may be found—bears, wolves, dogs, cats, lions, birds, dolphins, sharks, and many others—throughout the lands of Himlolth and the water surrounding it.

  Trees of Life—great and ancient trees that have been growing on the face of Oesha since her birth. Many of these trees have died off or been killed over time. But three are still known to remain—Anaturnar in the Dark Forest, Ithildar in Ithilden, and Yewstaff in the Minonowe. Others may grow in hidden places, for some were uprooted by the dragon Faehorne during the strife of the treekillers.

  Valemar—an offshoot of the Ithildar, the Valemar are the youngest of the elves. Feet as nimble as the breezes, forms as flowing as water, the Valemar are the most graceful of the Aelin. The Valemar have taken Minonowe for their home.